Rating: PG
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 03/28/1972(Italy)
Release Date: 03/09/2004
SubTitles: English
Dubbed: English/French
Sound: DD1
Run Time: 121 Minutes
Flags: Adult Situations, Not For Children
Distributor/Studio: Paramount
St. Francis of Assisi was an extraordinarily complex and difficult figure whose effect on his contemporary society was electrifying. Even today, many people are moved by his visionary message of universal toleration. Twelfth-century Italy had an exceptionally grim and regimented society, but the barefoot monk from Assisi undoubtedly had the courage that comes from deep faith and was able to transcend the oppressiveness of the time. In this Italian/British-produced film, director
Franco Zeffirelli attempts to bring his vision of this great man to the screen. The contemporary (1970s) example of the hippie movement contributed a great deal to the style in which the story is told. The musical score, using ancient Italian melodies, was arranged by
Donovan. The film is visually beautiful in a way which tends to minimize the squalor of the times. As the movie begins, Francis (
Graham Faulkner) is the son of wealthy merchants, and enjoys his share of wine, women and song without serious thought. When war and disease devastate his neighborhood, Francis undergoes an anguished transformation which culminates in his appearing before the local bishop and removing his clothes to renounce his previous life and family before dedicating himself to
God. The culminating dramatic moment is Francis' appearance before Pope
Innocent III (Sir
Alec Guinness), to make his case for an independent religious order under new rules.
~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
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